A star is brewing – Fisher makes a smashing debut for the Storm

Alexandria Fisher switched from baseball to softball in the sixth grade.

Now a 14-year-old freshman at St. Mary’s High School, Fisher is devoting a lot of energy to her softball game. In August, Fisher tried out and earned a spot on the Storm 14-under team, a Junior Olympic fast pitch softball program based in Danvers.

Fisher’s debut for the Storm in a Labor Day Tournament in Salem was noteworthy. Playing shortstop and centerfield, the 4-foot-11-inch speedster helped her team win four straight games by batting over .500 and playing flawlessly in the field. Fisher is also one of the team’s top base stealing threats

Storm founder and coach Bill Pszenny said he had seen Fisher playing for another team prior to the tryouts and was impressed by her great speed and glove.

The Storm’s fall season is basically a tune-up for the Junior Olympic campaign next summer.

“We’ve got tournaments this fall to get the new team playing together,” said Pszenny. “Fall is just practice for us but I have to say the girls were impressive in winning all four games in the Labor Day Tournament.”

Fisher said prior to joining the Storm roster she developed her softball skills on Winthrop’s travel teams under the direction of Winthrop High coach Dave Guffey.

“Mr. Guffey was a really good coach and he helped my softball a lot,” said Fisher, who played for the Winthrop Middle School team in the sixth and seventh grade.

Fisher entered St. Mary’s Junior High in the eighth grade. “My mother (Toni) went to St. Mary’s (High School),” said Alexandria.

Fisher said her father, David, was instrumental in teaching her the fundamentals of baseball and softball. “My dad’s been my coach and instructor my whole life. He taught me how to play the game.”

Alexandria also skis, snowboards, and plays basketball.

As for her softball career, she played for the St. Mary’s junior varsity team last season as an eighth grader. She is currently taking hitting lessons at Strike One in Danvers and hopes to crack the varsity roster for the Lady Spartans, who have won back-to-back state championships.

“I love everything about softball,” said Alexandria, an honor roll student who once met U.S. Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch. “I hope to play college softball.”